Well, good news. I got both.
Just to confirm, here's the best plan I've heard:
first year: Defer NSF. Get NDSEG.
second year: Defer NSF. Get NDSEG.
third year: forfeit NSF. Get NDSEG.
fourth year: Get NSF.
fifth year: get NSF.
I'm guessing you have to be on the NSF term to use the 1,000 travel stipend, so would have to do that in the final 2 years?
Just checked my email to find I got the NSF. I'm in physics at Purdue University.
Email arrived a 1:06 AM (Eastern Time).
Congrats to all others who received it.
In situations like this, I usually follow "he who has the money, makes the rules." We don't have to like it, but it's true for this case. I'd recommend responding on time.
In the Conditions of Appointment they give, the NDSEG states "This offer cannot be deferred." Anyone know if that is definitive, or is it flexible?
Ah, yep. I just re-checked a forum thread, and it looks like accepting the NDSEG for 2 years and then the NSF for the last 3 is the way to go. Anyone able to confirm that from actual experience or text from terms and conditions, or is that internet legend?
I'll be attending this fall for a Physics PhD. I applied a year ago, but deferred until this fall.
If there are any physics Purdue people out there, I'd be interested in hearing from you (abraham dot olson At gmail dot com; or http://www.facebook.com/people/Abraham_Olson/29300134).